Arturia has launched the MiniLab 37, the most recent addition to the MiniLab MIDI keyboard controller collection.
The MiniLab collection has been round since 2013 and has develop into probably the most standard budget-friendly controllers available on the market.
A brand new sort of MiniLab
Though MiniLab controllers have been round for properly over a decade and improved with each new mannequin, any modifications in kind have been largely beauty.
For the reason that authentic MiniLab, Mk2/3 fashions have basically provided a extra refined model of the identical factor, as a result of there’s solely a lot you are able to do with a 25-key controller.
In fact, you’ll be able to count on enhanced performance from newer fashions, but till now, probably the most important change in kind has been ditching half the encoders in favour of 4 assignable faders on the MiniLab Mk3.
I really like that Arturia added faders to the MiniLab (sixteen encoders have been most likely overkill anyway, even with sensible mapping to Analog Lab devices, and so forth.); the faders make the controller very best for orchestral programming on the go as a result of you’ll be able to extra simply automate expression and quantity concurrently.
I want extra producers would add faders to mini controllers.
The MiniLab 37 is the plain evolution, providing 37 mini-keys somewhat than 25.
Another octave makes an enormous distinction when it comes to efficiency; you now have a wider vary for soloing, and extra space to play with each fingers, whether or not it’s splitting concord/melody, complicated unfold voicings, or extra life like comping.
The MiniLab 37 offers an prolonged enjoying expertise whereas sustaining the backpack-friendly portability.
I do know there are many 37-key controllers accessible, however with the assignable faders that few others have, Arturia has positioned itself properly amongst the competitors.
Key Options
- 37 velocity-sensitive mini-keys (slim)
- Eight rotary encoders
- 4 assignable faders
- Eight velocity/pressure-sensitive RGB pads (sixteen with two banks)
- Constructed-in arpeggiator
- Maintain Mode
- Chord Mode
- Customized modes
- Pitch and modulation contact strips
- Transport controls
- OLED display screen with multi-function push encoder
- Comes with Analog Lab Intro and Ableton Dwell Lite
There’s nothing too sudden within the options, so we don’t want a deep dive on something, however there are some things I wish to spotlight.
If it’s not clear, the knobs are countless encoders, which implies they’ll by no means be within the flawed place when altering devices/results.
The Maintain button doesn’t operate like a maintain button you’d discover on many newbie keyboards. When lively, it would maintain any new notes you play, offering you’ve at the least one key depressed. In case you launch all keys, the held notes will proceed till you set off a brand new word, and it’ll begin over.
Chord Mode is useful as a result of you’ll be able to map complicated chords to a single key and have it transposed throughout the keyboard, but it surely’s not far more than that.
The OLED display screen is sweet, however very small, which isn’t unusual for smaller controllers, however you could count on it to be larger at first look as a result of it sits inside the central black panel.
The multi-mode arpeggiator parameters are properly mapped out throughout the encoders for straightforward use.
It can save you as much as 5 customized modes utilizing the Arturia MIDI Management Middle, which is useful for dwell efficiency.
New Structure
The looks of the MiniLab 37 isn’t dissimilar to earlier MiniLab keyboards; it has the usually modern design aesthetic that you just count on from Arturia.
However there’s one huge distinction within the structure.
What was a row of eight RGB pads is now two stacked rows of 4.
In case you’re not an enormous person of pads, it may not look like an enormous deal in any respect. And, when you usually use pads to set off scenes or longer samples, the only row shouldn’t have been an issue for you.
Nonetheless, when you’re into finger drumming or extra performative pattern triggering, two rows of 4 is a significant enhancement.
By means of my very own expertise with Akai MPC models, I’m used to the stacked association of pads, as are most eager finger drummers, I’m certain.
Despite the fact that we’re solely coping with eight pads right here, and never sixteen like an MPC, the closeness permits you to carry out extra intuitively and familiarly.
It additionally makes it a lot simpler to set off quick sequences with one hand, leaving the opposite free for the keyboard.
Mini-keys/Keybed
In case you aren’t used to mini-keys, they’ll really feel considerably fidgety, initially, at the least, however you quickly get used to them.
The essential factor to recollect is that this kind of MIDI controller, no matter producer, is rarely going to supply probably the most expressive keybed, however that doesn’t imply they’re all equal; some are horrible.
However whenever you get to the higher-quality choices, Arturia is considered one of them; the variations between the highest performers develop into negligible.
There aren’t any bells and whistles, no aftertouch (in contrast to the KeyStep 37), and no premium really feel.
Nonetheless, if you understand what to anticipate, Arturia does it in addition to anybody.
Connectivity
As you’d count on, there’s not quite a lot of floor to cowl right here, given the dimensions of the MiniLab 37, however the addition of a Management jack could be very fascinating.
The twin-mode Management jack capabilities in maintain or expression mode, and the expression possibility is one thing we don’t usually see from smaller models.
You will have MIDI over USB-C and a 5-pin MIDI output for controlling exterior {hardware}.
It’s worthwhile to take a look at one thing just like the Akai Skilled MPK Mini Plus for CV/Gate connectivity.
Worth for cash
As I mentioned above, I feel Arturia has positioned the MiniLab very properly inside the 37-key area of interest.
It is going to value round €149, which is comparatively near the competitors, and if an included software program bundle sways your resolution in any respect, Analog Lab Intro with lots of of presets taken from the professional model, V Assortment, and Pigments, is a greater place to begin than most, for my part.
You may assume it’s price spending a bit further to get a bigger KeyLab Important controller with full-size keys, and it is perhaps when you’ve got house. However when you’ve got restricted house and wish to journey simply together with your controller, the comparability turns into irrelevant.
My alternative of smaller controllers has at all times been the MPK Mini collection, primarily due to the higher-quality MPC pads. I additionally desire the joystick over contact strips, and the cheaper MPK Mini Plus has extra pitch/mod wheels.
I feel the MiniLab 37 is without doubt one of the frontrunners for good worth, but it surely is determined by what you worth most. For instance, though I desire some parts of Akai’s providing, I want the MPK Mini Plus had assignable faders.
Ultimate Ideas
Arturia is considered one of my favorite producers of MIDI keyboards; I’ve used and owned a number of over time (I nonetheless use an authentic KeyLab 61 as a result of the aftertouch and keyboard really feel are wonderful).
Arturia’s construct high quality within the price range worth vary is comparatively good, they usually have made distinct decisions that set the MiniLab 37 aside from the competitors and may enchantment to a variety of customers.
And, like all different Arturia controllers, the MiniLab 37 appears nice, which is a pleasant bonus.
Final Up to date on June 13, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
